University of Illinois Expert Warns of Prolonged Shutdown Impact: Funding and Travel Challenges Loom

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CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — The record-breaking U.S. government shutdown has reached its 36th day, marking the longest in the nation’s history as of Wednesday.

Initially, as the shutdown began, WCIA 3 engaged in a discussion with Brian Gaines, a political science professor at the University of Illinois. With the shutdown continuing, we sought his insights once more.

“Public opinion hasn’t decisively attributed blame to one side yet,” Gaines explained. “It seems that some individuals on either side are not overly concerned, perhaps believing that while the consequences may be negative, they could ultimately benefit their party by harming the opposition.”

At the onset of the shutdown, Gaines identified healthcare as a primary point of contention between the parties. This issue, he noted, remains unresolved.

“A significant challenge lies in the various approaches to scaling back the Affordable Care Act,” Gaines commented, highlighting the ongoing healthcare dispute.

And, he said the more recent funding issues with the SNAP program are just tip of the iceberg for what could happen if the shutdown drags on.

“Those aren’t so much a negotiation with long term budget as much as they are a burning fuse that eventually this bomb of unpopularity goes off and one of the parties is holding it,” said Gaines.

He said other challenges could be on the horizon too.

“Federal bureaucracy does a lot of things,” Gaines said. “Mortgages could be affected, the renewal of passports.”

One thing he’s keeping an eye on? Air travel.

Already, the FAA said it plans to reduce flights by 10% at 40 airports by the end of the week.

“That might make more lawmakers nervous that a lot of constituents will end up angry that there will be extreme delays at airports just before the Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving when a heck of a lot of people travel,” said Gaines

And, he is avoiding making a prediction on how long the shutdown will last.

“If I was being bold I’d say I don’t think this goes past Thanksgiving,” said Gaines. “But then I’ll just be eating my words as we do our interview on Christmas Eve maybe.”